Odds are that if you haven't had a case of the flu yet, you probably know someone who has.  It's estimated that between five and twenty percent of the local population will be burdened with congestion, coughing spells, body aches, fatigue, and fever all attributed to seasonal influenza, or the flu.

Scores of positive flu tests were recorded last week at HealthCARE Express in Shreveport, confirming the virus has arrived in our area.  And it's right on time, as peak flu season annually hits between late December and continues through mid-February.

“The flu is highly contagious because it is so easily spread. If someone who is infected coughs or sneezes, the virus becomes airborne, spreading quickly to those in close proximity” said Dr. Tim Reynolds, managing partner of HealthCARE Express urgent care and occupational medicine clinics.

“You can get it by being in close contact with someone coughing or sneezing, or by contact with a telephone or door knob recently handled by an infected person. This is why we encourage people to cough or sneeze into their arm or into a tissue.  It is also way we encourage people to not touch their eyes, nose, or mouth with their hands, to wash their hands regularly, and to use hand sanitizers" Dr. Reynolds goes on to say.

It is still not too late to receive a flu vaccine, but the longer you wait to get your vaccine, the longer it will take for the vaccine to begin preventing the flu.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it takes two weeks for the body to build antibodies against the flu once you’ve received the influenza vaccine.

“Typical flu symptoms are high fever, chills, body aches and pains, headache, fatigue, dry cough, runny nose and sore throat. Most patients report a fairly sudden onset of symptoms.” Reynolds said. “In most cases of true flu, there is no nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, although those symptoms sometimes occur.”

If you should come down with fly symptoms, it is important to be tested to find out what type of flu is present.  The sooner you get tested, the better chance you have for antiviral medicines to help fight off the flu.

“The antiviral medicines must be started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms to be most effective,” said Reynolds.

The best ways to prevent spreading (or getting) the flu include:

  • Washing your hands frequently,
  • Never picking up used tissues,
  • Not sharing cups or eating utensils,
  • Covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
  • Staying at home when you’re sick.

At home treatments for the flu include:

  • Drinking plenty of fluids to stay well hydrated,
  • Getting plenty of rest
  • Taking Tylenol or ibuprofen for fever, aches and pains.

“Flu symptoms can last up to two weeks,” Reynolds said. “Many patients seem to get better, and within a few days develop chills and a cough productive of thick yellow mucous. If this occurs, you should see your doctor to assure you don’t have pneumonia.”

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